Bruins open Sturm era with 3-1 win over Capitals

The Boston Bruins opened Marco Sturm's tenure as head coach with a 3-1 win over the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night at Capital One Arena, a road victory that showcased goaltending and special teams while offering early evidence the team’s new identity may be taking hold. David Pastrnak factored on all three Bruins goals, Elias Lindholm scored the go-ahead goal late in the third period, and Morgan Geekie added an empty-netter to seal the win.

Pastrnak opened the scoring in the second period with a wrist shot that threaded through traffic, and Tom Wilson tied the game for Washington shortly thereafter. A holding penalty by John Carlson on the play that followed gave Boston a reset on the rush, and from the left-wing boards Pastrnak fed Lindholm, who converted a backhand over Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson to restore the lead. Geekie finished the game into an empty net in the final minute.

Boston’s netminder delivered a decisive performance, turning aside the bulk of Washington’s shots and making a string of high-danger saves, particularly during the Capitals’ power-play opportunities. The Bruins successfully killed all five Washington power plays, an immediate...